Fujifilm discontinues GF670--but still available from Voigtlander-Cosina

[RattyMouse]

Get 'em while you can.

http://www.thephoblographer.com/2014/08/25/fujifilm-gf670-folding-rangefinder-now-discontinued/#.U_ur00vd7wI

 

[mweintraub]

I've been drooling over them since they were announced.

 

[RattyMouse]

I've been drooling over them since they were announced.

That's a looooong time.

 

[vdonovan]

It's hard to say if the camera really is being discontinued. The GF670 is a rebadged Voigtlander Bessa III, manufactured by Cosina. Perhaps Fuji plans to stop selling them under the Fuji name, but they will still be available from Voigtlander.

https://www.cameraquest.com/voigtl_bessa_iii.htm

 

[RattyMouse]

It's hard to say if the camera really is being discontinued. The GF670 is a rebadged Voigtlander Bessa III, manufactured by Cosina. Perhaps Fuji plans to stop selling them under the Fuji name, but they will still be available from Voigtlander.

https://www.cameraquest.com/voigtl_bessa_iii.htm

I suspect that there was one initial production run and it has taken this long to dwindle down to almost gone.

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

I always had the impression it was a pre-ordained one- or two-run manufacturing history. I never could see them, or any modern film camera these days, as being an ongoing product line with generations of improvements to come. That's why I grabbed mine when I did. I figured once the runs were sold out, that would be it.

Ratty knows, and his photographs show it. But for the rest, if you had any thoughts about getting one new, just do it, before you can't. These are killer instruments.

I was out walking around with mine for 10½ hours yesterday. Ironically, many people who watched me using it commented positively, all of them young people. Meaning, teenagers. I did make sure I worked into the short conversations that it was a film camera.*



Ken

* Note to any film companies who might not have a presence here on APUG, but who also might be secretly listening in. A couple of the teens (both girls) also mentioned that they would like to "try out what it's like to take pictures with film" but they just didn't know where to get started. I tried to give them some pointers, but it's really your job to cultivate your markets, if you really do want to sell more film-related products...

 

[PKM-25]

Hmmmm....interesting how this particular post reads as "Sad News" instead of "Fuji discontinues GF670" like it would usually read in the Industry section, especially if it were a "different" company.....pretty telling really.....

I thought about the GF670 briefly then decided to get a Mamiya 6 with all three lenses.

 

[RattyMouse]

I always had the impression it was a pre-ordained one- or two-run manufacturing history. I never could see them, or any modern film camera these days, as being an ongoing product line with generations of improvements to come. That's why I grabbed mine when I did. I figured once the runs were sold out, that would be it.

Ratty knows, and his photographs show it. But for the rest, if you had any thoughts about getting one new, just do it, before you can't. These are killer instruments.

I was out walking around with mine for 10½ hours yesterday. Ironically, many people who watched me using it commented positively, all of them young people. Meaning, teenagers. I did make sure I worked into the short conversations that it was a film camera.*



Ken

* Note to any film companies who might not have a presence here on APUG, but who also might be secretly listening in. A couple of the teens (both girls) also mentioned that they would like to "try out what it's like to take pictures with film" but they just didn't know where to get started. I tried to give them some pointers, but it's really your job to cultivate your markets, if you really do want to sell more film-related products...

Yes, a fantastic camera to walk around all day with. Amazingly compact and light. I laugh when I am at the store and see the Pentax 67. My wife is horrified by the size of that thing. (Not knocking the Pentax, there's tons of advantages to that camera).

And once you open it and start shooting, tons of eyes eventually land on you. It is not discreet unfortunately. People do love to inquire about what it is I'm shooting with.

It's a great embassador camera for film.

 

[Prest_400]

Oops, I just closed an ebay page looking around the prices of these. It's been a loong time but I still remember its release.

As said, the most logical approach that they might have had with this camera was a single or a few production runs. Perhaps in a future there will be another run if deemed feasible, it is a very nice approach for Medium Format.

 

[nbagno]

I succumbed several months ago. Beautiful camera. Focus is too fine for my taste, but it does deliver. My new to me Bessa iiiw on the other hand is on its way back to Japan for repair of wacky shutter speeds in Aperture mode. Going to be months before I see it again.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[Roger Cole]

It's hard to say if the camera really is being discontinued. The GF670 is a rebadged Voigtlander Bessa III, manufactured by Cosina. Perhaps Fuji plans to stop selling them under the Fuji name, but they will still be available from Voigtlander.

https://www.cameraquest.com/voigtl_bessa_iii.htm

The Bessa III is listed as in stock at B&H (black) for $2250. The Fuji version is back ordered, silver, and priced at $1664.

If I had that much to drop on a camera now (I don't) for that price difference it could be any damned color.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

When they first came out, I wanted one until I saw the price. There are still a few old folders on the market for less money. Folders are great cameras. I have a couple of Fuji cameras and the lenses are razor sharp. I'd buy one if I had the money.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I'm sorry to hear this.

Jeff

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

If I had that much to drop on a camera now (I don't) for that price difference it could be any damned color.

I actually prefer the silver. To my eyes it has a more classic look.

My only issue with the GF670, at least with my sample, is that the grease in the focusing helicoid is not stiff (viscous) enough. I tend to often pre-focus then wait for the action to occur, and need for the focus setting to stay put until it does. On my camera if I accurately pre-focus, then drop and raise the camera to arm's length once or twice, the focus shifts. Same if I point it directly straight up. I can then watch as it shifts.

I need to contact Fujifilm USA to see what it might take to correct this minor issue.

Ken

 

[karl]

It was my understand that there was only an initial production run of 10,000 cameras. Marketing ploy?

 

[RattyMouse]

I actually prefer the silver. To my eyes it has a more classic look.

My only issue with the GF670, at least with my sample, is that the grease in the focusing helicoid is not stiff (viscous) enough. I tend to often pre-focus then wait for the action to occur, and need for the focus setting to stay put until it does. On my camera if I accurately pre-focus, then drop and raise the camera to arm's length once or twice, the focus shifts. Same if I point it directly straight up. I can then watch as it shifts.

I need to contact Fujifilm USA to see what it might take to correct this minor issue.

Ken

Wow...mine wont do that. I can shake my camera all day long and the focus wont budge.

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

Wow...mine wont do that. I can shake my camera all day long and the focus wont budge.

I've mentioned it before, but I first noticed the issue while making (there was a url link here which no longer exists).

I was pre-focusing on a set of light bulbs part way up that visible column, then waiting for the deck to free fall drop. After a few tries I noticed the focus was shifting as I had the viewfinder to my eye waiting at the final moment. Locking the focus with my thumb worked fine after that. But I shouldn't have to do that.

It's more of an irritation that anything else. I just need to keep it in mind. I'm pretty sure it's an easy fix. And everything else about the camera is amazing.

Ken

 

[RattyMouse]

I've mentioned it before, but I first noticed the issue while making (there was a url link here which no longer exists).

I was pre-focusing on a set of light bulbs part way up that visible column, then waiting for the deck to free fall drop. After a few tries I noticed the focus was shifting as I had the viewfinder to my eye waiting at the final moment. Locking the focus with my thumb worked fine after that. But I shouldn't have to do that.

It's more of an irritation that anything else. I just need to keep it in mind. I'm pretty sure it's an easy fix. And everything else about the camera is amazing.

Ken

You are right. You should not have to deal with that. I'd call Fujifilm and get it fixed pronto.

 

[dreamingartemis]

I wonder when it will be GF670w's turn.....

 

[Roger Cole]

I wonder when it will be GF670w's turn.....

When they get close to running out of the manufacturing run they made of those.

 

[PKM-25]

Hmmmm....interesting how this particular post reads as "Sad News" instead of "Fuji discontinues GF670" like it would usually read in the Industry section, especially if it were a "different" company.....pretty telling really.....

I thought about the GF670 briefly then decided to get a Mamiya 6 with all three lenses.

Thank you for correcting this Mr. Goldfarb!

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

When they first came out, I wanted one until I saw the price. There are still a few old folders on the market for less money. Folders are great cameras. I have a couple of Fuji cameras and the lenses are razor sharp. I'd buy one if I had the money.

I was about to post almost exactly this.

 

[arealitystudios]

I owned one of these for a while and sold it after about three months of use. I just never found it very comfortable to hold for some reason. Absolutely stunning lens though and the viewfinder was GREAT!

I always thought Fuji was really silly to make a cheaper one branded under the Fuji name and a more expensive one under the Cosina name, the only difference being the body color. It was just straight up confusing for a lot of people and I'm sure hurt the popularity of the camera some.

 

[Jeff Searust]

I got to see and play with one of these a while back and was really disappointed. There are some issues with the front door hinges bending, and a couple other weirdnesses. --- I would MUCH rather have an old Voightlander or a Zeiss ikon

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

The lens focusing helicoid must be fully retracted (set to infinity) before closing the front. Filters must also be removed. Failure to do so followed by forcing the mechanism will result in bent hinges. And a $300 repair bill.

Not really a problem with the camera, but maybe a problem with some users in a hurry?

Ken